Essays
Admissions Tip: Crafting the MBA Essay
With several of the leading schools having already released their MBA essay questions for this admissions season, we’re sure that quite a number of early birds are eager to get a jump on the process in order to complete as many applications as possible by Round 1. As applicants find themselves... Read more »
Stanford GSB MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
Since the Stanford Graduate School of Business just released its essay questions for the 2017-2018 admissions season, we are following up with some advice for GSB applicants on how to approach Stanford’s essays. Stanford has asked applicants to respond to the same two questions it has asked the past few years,... Read more »
Emory / Goizueta MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
Following up on the release of the Emory University’s Goizueta MBA essay topics for 2017-2018, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants on how to approach these prompts. As with last year, this year’s essay section comprises four required responses, with a continued focus on career goals, leadership experiences,... Read more »
Michigan / Ross MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
Following up on the announcement of the Michigan / Ross MBA essay topics for the 2017-2018 admissions season, we wanted to offer some thoughts about how prospective members of the Class of 2020 might approach this application. In her admissions director blog, Soojin Kwon announced a new format to the Ross application’s essay... Read more »
UCLA Anderson MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
With the release of the 2017-2018 UCLA Anderson MBA essays, we wanted to offer some guidance for applicants targeting the University of California, Los Angeles for their business school studies. Anderson MBA essay section is identical to last season’s: first-time applicants are required to respond to one 750-word response and... Read more »
Defining Your Post-MBA Career Goals
Though essay prompts tend to vary year to year, the two things that nearly every prospective student can count on being asked are “What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals?” and “How will Business School X help you achieve these goals?” And, even though many schools have now opted to... Read more »
Berkeley / Haas MBA Essay Questions 2017-2018
The UC Berkeley MBA admissions committee has announced the Haas essay topics for applicants targeting the Class of 2020. Haas MBA applicants will respond to three brief required essays of no more than 250 words (each). The Haas admissions website notes that the adcom seeks "candidates from a broad range of industries,... Read more »
Harvard Business School MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
As we announced recently, Harvard Business School has released its MBA essay question for the 2017-2018 application season. For the second year running, HBS asks applicants to expand on their overall application. The school is also maintaining its post-interview reflection, which will require those who reach the interview stage to submit... Read more »
Yale School of Management MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
We continue with our Essay Topic Analysis, as Yale SOM announced their MBA essay question for 2017-2018. For the second year running, Yale MBA hopefuls are required to respond to a 500-word essay about their biggest commitment. Last year, Admissions Director Bruce DelMonico commented that the Yale MBA adcom developed this... Read more »
Columbia Business School MBA Essay Topic Analysis 2017-2018
With the recent announcement of the 2017-2018 Columbia Business School essay questions, this season’s Essay Topic Analysis series is officially underway. Compared to last year, the adcom has trimmed the word limits and separated the prompts regarding one’s goals and interests in the Columbia MBA. Instead of giving applicants a range... Read more »
Admissions Tip: Essay Polishing
Over the last few weeks we've offered up a slew of admissions tips and strategies for R2 applicants. Now, as the vast majority of R2 deadlines are now just a matter of days - if not hours - away, we're offering up one final R2 tip that is geared towards... Read more »
MBA Admissions Round 2 Deadlines: The Moment of Truth
Over the last couple of weeks we published a series of MBA admissions tips for Round 2 application deadlines. Today, as a little holiday offering for our readers, we’ve conveniently gathered those tips into one tidy post, to help keep you organized. This next week, between Christmas and New Year,... Read more »
Essay Topic Analyses for Round 2 Deadlines at Your Fingertips
For those of you targeting Round 2, it's time to get to work. With Round 2 deadlines for a whopping the majority of business schools converging in the first and second weeks of January, having a well-thought-out game plan is critical to successfully navigating the busy holiday season (and staying sane!).... Read more »
MBA Admissions Mashup: Admissions Tips, Exchanges, and Women in Business
Welcome back! Every Wednesday, we share a round-up of the latest news from MBA admissions blogs at the top business schools. And, today we’re sharing insights from women-focused conferences and networking dinners, advice from Booth and HBS for Round 2 applicants, and a look at educational opportunities abroad. First for... Read more »
MBA Admissions Mashup: Essay Advice & Internships
Welcome back! Every Wednesday, we share a round-up of the latest news from MBA admissions blogs at the top business schools. This week we see essay tips for folks applying in an upcoming round as well as a look at one MBA’s summer internship experience in Seattle. As folks are... Read more »
OSU / Fisher Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the 2016-2017 OSU / Fisher essay topics, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants. Let’s take a closer look at each essay. Essay 1 Why do you wish to earn an MBA? Why do you wish to earn an MBA from The Fisher College of Business? How... Read more »
Vanderbilt / Owen Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
Following up on the 2016-2017 essay topics for the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, we wanted to offer our Owen MBA Essay Topic Analysis for the Class of 2019 hopefuls. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt. 2016-2017 Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Essay Topic Analysis Essay 1:... Read more »
SMU Cox Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the release of the 2016-2017 SMU Cox essay topics, we wanted to offer some guidance to applicants. This year, SMU Cox again asks MBA applicants for a typical career goals essay as well as for further reflections on leadership. Meanwhile, Masters of Arts dual degree candidates have to compose an... Read more »
Rice / Jones Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the announcement of the Rice MBA essay topics for the 2016-2017 admissions season, we wanted to offer our Essay Topic Analysis for the Class of 2019. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt: Essay 1: Describe your short-term and long-term goals, and how the MBA will help you to... Read more »
USC / Marshall Essay Topic Analysis 2016-2017
With the announcement of USC / Marshall 2016-2017 essay topics, we wanted to offer our Essay Topic Analysis for the Class of 2019 MBA hopefuls. Let’s take a closer look at each prompt: Essay 1: What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include... Read more »